Plot Terms
Rising action
A character who doesn't change during the course of a story
Static character
Two words that sound the same at the end
Rhyme
A comparison using "like" or "as"
Simile
A perspective that uses "I"
First person
The moment of highest tension in a story
Climax
A recognizable character type which is frequently used in stories, often based on stereotypes
Stock character (or Archetype)
Repeated letter sounds at the beginning of neighbouring words
Aliteration
A comparison in which one thing is described as something else, but is not meant to be taken literally.
A perspective that refers to characters externally (using characters' names or pronouns)
Third person
The moment which begins or 'sparks' a story
The character or force which is in conflict with the main character
Antagonist
A word which sounds like what it describes
Onomatopoeia
A contrast in which drastically different things are placed together to highlight their differences
Juxtaposition
A perspective that uses "you"
Second person
The early moments of a story in which readers learn the setting, some of the characters, and general context
Exposition
A character who changes significantly over the course of a story
Dynamic character
Repeated vowel sounds within neighbouring words
Assonance
Using a similar-sounding word with a contrasting meaning, often for a humorous effect
Pun
A perspective in which the narrator shares the inner thoughts and feelings of many/all characters.
The moments at the end of a story after the climax
Denouement
A character whose traits serve to highlight or contrast another character
Character foil
Repeated harsh, unpleasant consonant sounds
Cacophony
An extended comparison between one concept and another, often to illustrate a process or relationship between ideas
Analogy
A perspective in which the narrator knows the inner thoughts and feelings of only one or two characters
Limited omniscient